Mail-pouch fastener.



No. 630,504. Patented Au 8 w. E. GRIFFIN. g

MAIL POUCH FASTENEB.

(Application filed June 8, 1899.) (No Model.)

\VATSON E. GRIFFIN,

MAIL-POUCH "ATENT OFFICE-1.

OF RENO, NEVADA.

"FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersjliatent No. 30,504, dated August 8, 1899. Application filed June 9 i899. Serial No. 7 1 9,'798. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern: I

Be it knownv that I, WA'rsoN E.-GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reno, county of \Vashoe, State of Nevada, have invented an Improvement in Mail-Pouch Fasteners; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a fastening for the mouths of mail-pouches.

It consists of flexibly-hinged metal plates secured transversely across one side and the flap which folds over the opposite side of the pouch, so that when the pouch has been closed and locked they form an absolutely rigid strip extending across both sides of the top of the pouch.

The invention also comprises details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a back yiew of the upper part of the pouch, showing the flap opened up and the plates upon both parts. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 00 w of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section showing the flap closed and the staple passed through from one plate to the other. Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the mouth of the pouch, open.

The pouch O has a flap P at the top, which forms an extension of one side of the pouch: and is foldable over the upper edge of the other side, so that the flap extends down a short distance over said side and is locked in this position by means of a staple E, secured to the flap and passing through a slot in the opposite side of the pouch.

A A are metal plates, riveted or otherwise strongly fastened to the top of the pouch, extending across the side from which the flap projects, and a similar set of plates extends across the flap itself, leaving an intermediate space of exposed leather A between the oontiguous edges of the plates A A, which space forms the folding-line of the flap. When the flap is opened, as shown in Fig. 1, the plates upon the top of the back and those upon the flap are essentially in line with each other. When the flap has been closed down upon the opposite side, the two plates are in opposition upon the outer sides of the mouth of the back.

These plates have hinged-joints, as shown at C, and extensions B, hinged at these points, form bendable continuations of the plates A, so that the length of the plates Abetween the hinge-points may. be approximately onethird the distance across the mouth of the pouch. The extensions 13 will form the other two-thirds; but these particular proportions arenot absolute, as they may be varied to suit conditions, the plates being comprised of three sections hinged together and all riveted across the mouth of the pouch and the flap,- respectively, with the intermediate flexible folding portion between the top of the pouch andthe flap.

Exterior to the plates A are fixed other plates A which have ends at extending beyond the hinges and overlapping the hinged portions B, as shown. When the pouch is opened, the wings or hinged portions B are turned about their hinges, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the mouth of the pouch will be held open in convenient position for the reception of letters, as is plainly shown in perspective view Fig. 4, the flap under these conditions being held up in line with the back part of the pouch. When the pouch is closed, these wings B are straightened out in line with the parts A, and in this condition they rest against the rigid extensions a of the plates A and are thus prevented from bending backwardly in the opposite direction. Having thus been straightened out, the flap of the pouch is then folded over the mouth, and the staple E, passing through the slot D in the opposing plates A A will be in position to be locked. It is then fastened by means of a hasp G and loosely attached to the back of the pouch, as shown, and having a slot which fits over the staple, so that when the lock has been passed through this staple the whole device will be fastened in place. As in this condition the flexible hinged plates B press against the extensions a they are prevented from turning outwardly and practically form a rigid plate extending from one side of the mouth of the pouch to the other, forming a rigid and durable fastening.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A closure for the m ouths of In ail-pou ches consisting of plates secured transversely across the central upper rear portion of the pouch and the corresponding portion of the flap, other plates hinged to the ends thereof and extending to the outer edges of the pouch and riveted thereto, said plates being foldable inwardly with relation to the first-named plates when the pouch is opened, and stops suitably mounted upon said first named plates by which they are prevented from ben ding in the opposite direction when the pouch is closed.

2. A mail-pouch having a foldable flap at the top, plates riveted to the upper central back portion of the pouch and to the corresponding portion of the flap, other plates hinged thereto extending outwardly to the edges of the pouch and flap respectively, other plates coincident with the first named plates having rigid wings or extensions in line therewith against which the hinged plates abut when the pouch is closed.

3. A mail-pouch having a flexible flap adapted to close over the mouth, metal plates fixed to the rear central portion of the top of the pouch and the corresponding portion of the flap, a staple carried by one of said plates and adapted to extend through a slot made in the other plate when the fiap is closed, other plates hinged to the ends of the first-named plates extending therefrom to the outer edges of the back of the pouch and the flap respectively, and other plates riveted to the firstnamed plates having the ends projecting beyond the hinges of said plates whereby the extensions may be bent inwardly when the pouch is opened, but are prevented from moving in the opposite direction when the pouch is closed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WATSON E. GRIFFIN.

\Vitnesses:

S. C. GIBSON, R. L. OsnURN. 

